Olly Alexander’s new album Polari is set for release on February 7, 2025. Check out the lead single ‘Cupid’s Bow,’ now streaming on Polydor Records.
Olly Alexander, formerly of Years & Years, has announced his new solo album, Polari, which will debut on February 7, 2025 via Polydor Records. Alongside the album announcement, Olly has released the lead single ‘Cupid’s Bow,’ giving listeners a preview of what to expect from his latest project. The track showcases Olly’s deep dive into the themes of desire, intimacy, and the search for connection.
The song is the result of a collaboration with producer Danny L Harle, blending pulsating club beats with poetic lyrics. Olly draws inspiration from both past and present queer influences, with a nod to the pioneers of electronic pop music. This duality between nostalgic sounds and modern themes gives the song a unique edge, reflecting the complexities of love, whether shaped by mythology or fleeting encounters.
The concept behind Polari runs deeper than just its musical layers. The album is inspired by a forgotten language used by marginalized communities, particularly within the LGBTQ+ world. Olly first encountered Polari during his personal coming-out journey and further explored it during his role in the critically acclaimed series It’s A Sin, where themes of identity and self-expression became central to his character’s development. 
After a decade of success as the frontman of Years & Years, Polari marks Olly’s first album released under his own name. It’s a creative leap that allows him to fully explore his artistic freedom. In addition to the music, Olly has crafted a visual experience for the album, with an aesthetic heavily influenced by the anarchic style of filmmaker Derek Jarman.
Olly has also written a short play to accompany the album’s release, a whimsical world populated with cowboys, gods, and music industry executives. With Polari, Olly Alexander offers a deeply personal yet universal pop record about belonging, love, and the human need to connect.
